Man’s best friend feels like us
There’s another reason why they’re called ‘man’s best friend’.
Scientists in the US have discovered that dogs experience emotions the same way we do!
We’ve always known that our canine companions had feelings. It’s only now been proven though that they use the same part of the brain as humans do to feel.
Experts at Emory University in Georgia did MRIs on a number of dogs to get this research done. They wanted to know exactly how dogs’ brains work. What they found was that our pooches use the caudate nucleus part of the brain when responding to people they know.
This nucleus, which is located near the centre of the brain, plays an important role in learning and memory. It’s also been associated with visual beauty and romantic love.
This is the same area of the brain we use when we show signs of looking forward to things we enjoy, like food, our spouses, our children and our favourite concert, for example.
So imagine that? Dogs use that very same part of the brain when responding to us! That probably explains why they’re so affectionate and protective. They themselves see themselves as close members of the family.
Another cool thing the study found was that dogs have a level of awareness and perception that can be compared to that of a child. So that explains why they get really excited when we take them to the beach or give them a treat!
Do you have a pet that shares the same qualities as you? Does your pet think he/ she is human? Email [email protected]
- Natarah Nadesan
Tweet me: @NatarahNadesan